Commutator



* (No Model.)

Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

W. P. D. CRANE.

GOMMUTATOR.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM F. D. CRANE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMMUTATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,406, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed January l0, 1890. Serial No. 336,539. (No model.)

To LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. D. CRANE, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Commutators forDynamo-Eiectric Machines and Motors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to com mutators for electric motors and dynamo-machines; and it consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to simplify theconstruction of commutators and at the same time to more perfectly insure the proper insulation 0f the several segments of the commutator from the aXle or shaft.

In carrying out my inventionI insulate the several segments of the commutator in the ordinary Way with mica or other Well-known insulating medium, and these segments I place in a suitable support of glass, porcelain, or other vitreous or earthy material molded, cast, or formed to the proper shape, constituting an excellent insulating medium, and this support I secure in posit-ion upon the shaft of the dynamo or motor directly or indirectly. By my constructionI am enabled to mold or cast these portions of the commutator in which the contact bars or segments are placed, and am thus enabled to obtain absolutely accurate constructions with a minimum expense, and, furthermore, the construction is one from which great durability results.

Referring' to the drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation of a commutator embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of same on line :c fr. Figs. 8, i, 5, and 6 are similar views of slightly-varied constructions also embodying my invention, the said igures showing only. one half of a commutator, the other half, not shown, being identical with that shown. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation showing the section through a modiiied form of insulating and supporting parts. Fig. S is a perspective view of one of the vitreous sleeves which may be arranged. under the contact-bars, and Fig. 9 is an end elevation of one of the clamping-rings.

A represent-s the shaft of the motor or dynamo. Upon this shaft is secured a sleeve I3, having the upright end made with an annular projection b. The other end of the sleeve B is screw-threaded and is provided with an adjustable clamping-nut C. Between the nut C and the shoulder of the sleeve at the other end are arranged the insulatingsections and the contact bars or segments, which are arranged in a circle about the said sleeve in the ordinary way.

Referring to Fig. l, we have a sleeve E, of vitreous material-such as glass, porcelain, &c.*havin g at one end a clamping shoulder or part F, formed upon its outer part with an annular recess f, into which the projection l) on the sleeve B extends. Arranged upon the vitreous sleeve E are commutator bars or segments II, which bars or segments are to be clamped under the shoulderF by being forced into position by the annular ring G, of vitreous material, which is also provided with an annular groove or recess g upon its outer part, into which an annular projection d on the ring D extends. The ring D is forced up against the ring G by clamping-nut C, and by this means the commutator bars or segments II are clamped between parts F and G.l

The ring D is preferably of metal, such as brass. In practice it is desirable to interpose an insulating-packing S, of asbestus or cloth and mica, or other equivalent substance, between the commutator-bars and the parts E, F, and G to prevent any possibility of irregular clamping or injury to the vitreous material E, F, and G.. This interposition of t-he packing S also compensates for any irregularity in the trueness of the parts E, F, and G. It desired, the said parts E, F, and G may be made in sections, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that two or more sections are required to malte up the annular rings.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the metal sleeve I3 is dispensed with and the sleeve E -is made heavier and provided with a ferrule I, of metal, upon which the clamping-nut C works. In this case the ring D is formed integral with the nut C, and the shape of the projection (l and recess g is somewhat modified. It is also clear that in this case the part F relies vupon its own strength in clamping the connnutator-segments.

IOO

Referring' now to Fig'. 4f, we have a construction in which the sleeve E, of vitreous matcrial, is placed upon the metal sleeve B and both ring's F and G, of vitreous material, placed over the ring E and independently movable with respect to it. Furthermore, in this case the projections l) d are not received in recesses in the parts F and G, but constitute annular flanges which extend over the outer edges of said parts F and G.

In Fig. 5 we have a construction very similar to that shown in Fig'. 3, but with the addition of the metal sleeve, as in the case of Fig'. l or Fig'. et. In this case each of the parts F and G are respectively provided with annular sleeves E and W, one of which fits over the other. The projection l) extends over an inclined outer face on the part F, while on the opposite end the nut C is provided'with the annular projection d, which lits into an annular g'roove g, as before.

Referring' now to Fig. 6, which is probably the most preferable construction from a practical standpoint, we have the sleeve B, very similar to that shown in Fig'. 5, formed with the inclined projection b at one end and the screw-thread at the other end receiving` the clamping-nut C. j

Eis a sleeve ot' vitreous material placed upon the metal sleeve B, and also at each end of the said sleeve B are two clamping annular rings of vitreous material F and G, each of which is provided with the parallel or nearly parallel inclined clamping-faces, the inner of which clamps the commutator-segment-s II and the outer of which f g are clamped by the projections b (Z. In this case I prefer to use the annular rings D. By employing inclined faces on the parts Z) d the thrust is more directly at rig'ht angles to the inclined faces of the parts F and G, where they clamp the segments Il, and thus obviate in a measure the tendency to crack the parts F and G. The ringD shown in Fig'. G isillustrated in elevation in Fig'. 9.

In the construction shown in Fig'. 7 we have a section through the vitreous clamping parts, which corresponds to what is shown in Fig. l, with the exception that the annular grooves fand g are shown as annular notches in this case; The parts E, F, and G, as before stated, may be circular or in segments. It is desirable in the construction of the parts E F G that after being molded or cast they shall be properly annealed, if of glass, to impart to them a tough homogeneous character, which shall be able to withstand great strain without crackin g. It is also clear that the sleeve E might be dispensed with, if desired, and the segments Il be made to rest directly upon the insulating-packing S, which may be wrapped about the sleeve B. The more essential part of my invention relates more to the parts F and G when combined with the metal sleeve B and clamping devices.

In place of glass or porcelain, hard terracotta, concrete, or equivalent earthy substances may be used.

I do not limit myself to Athe mere details oi construction here shown, as they may be modilied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

llaving' now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a commutator for a dynamo-elcctric machine or motor, the combination ot a metallie sleeve adapted to be held by the shaft and provided with clamping portions at its ends, with the com mutator-seg'ments and interposed annular portions ot' vitreous or earthy material, substantially as set out, molded or cast into the requisite shape for clamping the commutator segments and clamped in position by the sleeve and its clamping parts.

2. In a commutator tor a dynamo-electric machine or motor, the combination ot a me* tallic sleeve adapted to be held by the shaft and provided with clamping portions at its ends, with the comm utator-segments, interposed annular portions of vitreous or earthy material, substantially as set out, molded or cast into the requisite shape for clamping the commutator-segm ents and held in position by the sleeve and its clamping parts, and i nterposed soft packing' of insulating' material between the commutator-segments and the vitreous or earthy portions.

3. In a con nnutatorfor dynamo-electric machines and motors, the combination ot the commutator contact-segments with a sleeve, annular clamping parts of vitreous or cart-hy material molded or castinto the proper shape, and means for clamping' the said vitreous or earthy annular parts upon the commutatorsegments.

4. In a commutator for dynamo-electricmachines and motors, the combination of the commutator contact-segments with a metaln lic sleeve, annular clamping parts of vitreous or earthy material molded or cast into the proper shape, means for clamping' said vit-- reous annular parts upon the commutatorsegments, and an interposed insulating-packing of soft material between the commutatorA segments and the vitreous or earthy annular portions.

5. In acommutatorfordynamo-electric machines and motors, the combination of a sleeve having a shoulder or projection at one end and a clamping-nut at the other end, with the commutator contact-segments, annular rings of vitreous or earthy material cast or molded to the proper shape for clamping the commutator-segments, andan annular cla1npingring provided with au annular shoulder arranged between the clamping-:nut and one ot the vitreous or earthy annular parts, whereby said parts may be clamped upon the commutatorsegments to holdthem in position.

G. In a commutatorfor dynamo-electric machines and motors, the combination of a sleeve ITO having a shoulder or projection at one end and a clamping-nut at the other end, with the coinmutator contact-segments, annular rings of vitreous or earthy material cast or molded to the proper shape for clamping the commutator-segments, an annular elamping-ring provided with an annular shoulder arranged between the clamping-nut and one of the vitreous or earthy annular parts, whereby the said parts may be clamped upon the commutator-segments to hold them in position, and an interposed packing of soft insulating material arranged between the commutator-segments and the vitreous parts.

7. A commutator for a dynamo-electric machine or motor, having its commutator-segments combined with two annular clamping parts formed of vitreous or earthy material, and a metallic support for holding the said vitreous or earthy material in position upon the shaft.

8. A commutator for a dynamo-electric machine or motor, having its connnutator-scg ments clamped between heavy molded or cast rings of vitreous or earthy material.

9. A coinmutator for a dynamo-electric machine or motor, having its comnuitator-segments clamped between heavy molded or cast rings of vitreous or earthy material, and combined with interposed insulating-packing of soft material arranged between the commutator-segments and the vitreous or earthy rings.

10. A eommutator fora dynamo-electric machine or motor, consisting of a metallic sleeve provided with clamping part-s, in combination with the commutator-segments insulated therefrom and heavy cast or molded annular parts of vitreous or earthy substance 'forming a clamping and insulating support between the commutator-segnients and the clamping devices of the sleeve.' v

ll. In aeommutatortordynamo-electric machines and motors,the combination of a sleeve of metal secured upon the shaft, a series of commutator-segments arranged about the sleeve, and an interposed annular part or sleeve formed of vitreous or earthy material molded or cast into the proper shape or shapes to fit upon the sleeve and lill the space between the metal sleeve and commutator-segment-s.

l2. A commutator for dynamo-electric machines or motors, consisting of a metallic sleeve provided with clamping parts, in combination with the comxnutator-segments insulated therefrom and heavy cast or molded annular parts of vitreous or earthy substance forming a clamping and insulating support between the commutator-seginents and the clamping devices of the sleeve, and in which the insulati11g-support is divided longitudinally or parallel with the shaft.

18. In a commutator for a dynamo-electric machine or motor, the combination of the sleeve B, having the clamping-shoulder l), the commutator-scgments II, the annular clamping-rings F and G, of vitreous or earthy inaterial, having the annular grooves or parts f g, respectively, the annular ring D, having the projection or shoulder d, and the clamping-nut C.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM F. D. CRANE. Vitnesses:

K. B. HUNTER, ERNEsT HOWARD HUNTER. 

